The New York Jets did not quite go chalk with their first-round draft pick.
New York surprised many during Thursday’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa. by selecting the former Texas Tech star David Bailey at No. 2 overall. The defensive end Bailey will now be tasked with helping to anchor the Jets’ pass rush in 2026.
In reaction to the pick, fans all said the same thing over social media. They questioned why the Jets selected Bailey over his fellow edge rusher Arvell Reese, formerly of Ohio State.
Wow, the Jets picked David Bailey over Arvell Reese?
— BearsFanSteven (@BearsFanSteven) April 24, 2026
David Bailey over Arvell Reese?! pic.twitter.com/hOflnH1M6j
— BLITZN (@BLITZNofficial) April 24, 2026
My official statement on the Jets taking David Bailey over Arvell Reese pic.twitter.com/gQ4EXaDDFM
— Jake Chatzky (@jchat85) April 24, 2026
Jets took David Bailey when Arvell Reese was sitting right there. That's gonna age like milkpic.twitter.com/MV25JmOzIH
— Bracco Football (@BraccoNFL) April 24, 2026
We had heard for the last week or so that the Jets were deciding between Bailey and Reese at No. 2 overall. While some indications were that the Jets had indeed been leaning towards Bailey of the two, Reese entered the day as the odds-on favorite to go at No. 2.
Both Bailey and Reese are coming off standout All-American seasons in 2025. The former had 19.5 tackles for loss and an FBS-leading 14.5 sacks while the latter had a more moderate 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks (albeit in a tougher Big 10 conference).
It appears the Jets may have also been swayed by Bailey’s experience with four full collegiate seasons compared to just two for Reese. But after going a woeful 3-14 last season and now owning an ugly distinction as well, the Jets have a lot of work to do to prove that Bailey was indeed the right pick there.
